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GM Current Awareness Report – May 2005

Global

One billionth cumulative acre of genetically modified (GM) crops planted in May

Truth About Trade and Technology, a non-profit advocacy group supporting free trade and agricultural biotechnology, predicted that the one billionth cumulative acre of GM crops was planted in early May, ten years after commercialisation of the technology. It predicts that the one billionth cumulative acre of GM crops will be harvested sometime in September this year. The website for Truth About Trade and Technology has a counter tracking the predicted planting and harvesting of GM crops. (http://www.truthabouttrade.org/article.asp?id=3744)

Developing countries have robust biotechnology programs
According to FAO, developing countries have well-developed biotechnology programs and significant research capacity. Argentina, Brazil, China, Cuba, Egypt, India, Mexico and South Africa have taken the lead and have been conducting research on a wide range of GM crops, such as banana, cassava, cowpea, plantain, rice and sorghum, and on traits relevant for food security, such as abiotic stress tolerance and quality.

Developing world media ‘lacks critical analysis of GM’
A survey of the media coverage relating to GM crops in five developing countries has shown that news stories often lack critical analysis of the issues at stake, and rarely represent the views of farmers. In four of the countries studied — Brazil, India, Kenya and Zambia — the media tended to follow the government line on GM crops while in Thailand the media generally opposes government plans to introduce GM crops. The media surveyed, by the UK-based Panos Institute, was part of a larger study on GM decision-making, entitled “GM debate – Who decides?”.

Global organic agriculture area reaches 26 million hectares

According to the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement’s study “The World of Organic Agriculture: Statistics and Emerging Trends 2005”, 36 countries achieved organic “mega-country” status in 2004, meaning that over 50,000 hectares of certified organic land are currently being cultivated in each of the 36 countries. In total, over 26 million hectares of land (558,449 farms in 108 countries) are currently certified organic worldwide, generating over $25 billion in revenue in 2003.

World GM updates by geographical area

Europe

EU fails to authorise GM maize

Eight EU member states including the UK, France, Finland and Sweden voted in favour of using a new variety of GM maize to be imported for animal feed but 10 states including Austria, Italy and Poland voted against. Germany and Spain were among the 7 abstainers. The issue will now have to be resolved by EU agriculture ministers. This is the twelfth time the panel has failed to make a decision, preferring to allow ministers to decide.

Italy calls for independent EU research on GM crops

Italy called for the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to use its own research when deciding if GM crops are safe, not just that of the manufacturers. The EFSA, set up in 2002, conducts its assessments based on data given by the companies that develop the GM crops. Italy would like to see the EFSA apply its own scientific tests to ascertain whether new GM products are safe to use.

Greenpeace charged under Danish terror law for GM crops action

Greenpeace has been charged in Denmark under the provisions of an anti-terrorism package over a protest action against GM. In October 2003, activists illegally entered Axelborg, the main centre for the agriculture industry, and hung up a giant banner. Greenpeace activists have used the same tactics in scores of previous actions and each individual activist is usually fined.

Research shows GM use good for Poland

Research showed that GM oilseed rape, sugar beet, and herbicide tolerant and/or insect resistant maize showed that GM crops can offer benefits to farmers in Poland. Key findings include a projected 10-90% increase in crop output for both GM oilseed rape and sugar beet; an increase of $55-116 million in annual added value for production of the three crops; an increase in farm (gross margin) income of $67-123 million; and a decrease of 38-67% in the volume of herbicides applied.

Europe’s regions demand “power-sharing” over GM crop decisions
European regions have reiterated their demand to be included in any decisions over the commercial cultivation of GM crops in order for them to enhance and promote quality agriculture and food products. Over 250 people from across Europe attended a conference in Brussels to hear regional Ministers and Members of the European Parliament call for a bigger say in whether GM crops are grown commercially in their region. There are now 162 European regions and provinces that have declared themselves “GM Free zones” or that wish to restrict GM crops. Over 4500 local governments and smaller areas in Europe are similarly calling for restrictions to commercial growing.

New laws and new campaigns in Switzerland

The Swiss Parliament is debating an initiative banning the use of GM crops in agriculture for 5 years. Under the rules of Swiss democracy, it is possible for a group of at least 100,000 citizens to demand a popular vote on an initiative to change the constitution. Parliament is allowed to give a recommendation, or even formulate an alternative to the initiative, but because more than 100,000 signatures were collected the Swiss will go to the polls.

Two-thirds of Russians unwilling to eat GM-food
According to a poll conducted by the All-Russia Public Opinion Research Centre, about two-thirds of Russians said they are not ready to eat foodstuffs comprising GM ingredients. 45% reject GM food, with 23% being unlikely to consume them. Only 3% showed willingness to eat such foods and 4% said they did not care. 21% said they did not know what GM foodstuffs were. 95% of the respondents informed in the subject would not like to use GM food.

Ireland intercepts unauthorised GM corn
The European Commission said that Irish port authorities intercepted a shipment from the United States of animal feed that contained Bt10 GM corn which is not approved in the European Union. The Irish authorities are taking measures to ensure that this consignment does not enter the feed chain. About 290 tests for Bt10 have been conducted on EU-bound shipments, but this was the first time a test was positive since the adoption of EU measures to prevent the import of unauthorised Bt10.

North America

Canada’s organics market is growing slowly

Statistics Canada reported that Canada’s organic fruit and vegetable industry is expanding, but very slowly, and sales still represent a niche market in most parts of Canada. New producers should not expect to automatically receive a premium price for organic fruit and vegetables unless they can produce a premium product and sell it in the right market. As with most businesses, those farmers who have a production plan and a clear idea of their target market have the best chance of capturing an organic price premium. The study was limited to the organic producers who sell 100% of their fresh fruit and vegetables directly to the consumer. This approach has been criticised as presenting a distorted market picture by the Organic Trade Association.

Saskatoon Court dismisses organic farmers' Class Action application

Justice Gene-Ann Smith dismissed the certification application filed by a group of organic farmers seeking to initiate a Class Action suit against Monsanto Canada Inc. and Aventis CropScience Holding Inc. (now Bayer Crop Science) for introducing GM canola in Canada. The plaintiffs are going to appeal the decision.

GM liability laws in the United States

California law makers are discussing a proposed Bill that would make manufacturers of GM crops liable for any damage to conventional or organic crops caused by their products. The “Food Integrity and Farmer Protection Act” would give producers, grain and seed cleaners, handlers and processors the right to sue if they are “injured by the release, and subsequent contamination,” of a GM organism. A similar Bill made it through the Senate in Vermont, but the Vermont House Agriculture Committee voted against bringing the Bill to vote in the full House.

Also in the United States, the Oregon state legislature is considering a bill that would ban a range of GM crops from being grown in that state. Specifically targeted for prohibition by the legislation are GM crops “designed to produce industrial products, substances for use in industrial products, industrial or research chemicals, or industrial or research enzymes.”

If the legislation is adopted, Oregon would become the only state in the country with such a ban in place.

New laws in the United States focussing on “next generation” GM products

The Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology released a new fact sheet and updated database on State legislation that found that legislation introduced in the 2003-2004 legislative sessions focused on issues raised by the “next generation” products of agricultural biotechnology though concerns varied by region. Examples of next generation issues are GM fish, pharmaceutical-producing food crops and animals, and new GM food crops such as wheat. Local activities, such as ballot initiatives, were also found to be more prevalent in 2003-2004 than they were in the 2001-2002 legislative sessions. The fact sheet can be viewed at http://pewagbiotech.org/resources/factsheets/legislation/factsheet.php and the database can be viewed at: http://pewagbiotech.org/resources/factsheets/legislation.

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports on biotechnology

The USDA issued two reports on agricultural biotechnology that cover the evolving world requirements for the traceability and labelling of agricultural biotechnology products and on the complexities of predicting the use of these products in the future. The reports, developed by USDA’s Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture, are entitled “Global Traceability and Labelling Requirements for Agricultural Biotechnology-Derived Products: Impacts and Implications for the United States” and “Preparing for the Future.” Copies of the reports are available at http://www.usda.gov/event_15.xml

Pharmaceutical flax plan draws flak in North Dakota

Supporters of a proposal to produce pharmaceutical products in North Dakota flax say it shows a lot of promise, but the project has run into strong opposition from the state’s flax industry. The biotechnology company Agragen has proposed to make albumin and a recombinant form of omega-3 fatty acids from flax grown in North Dakota. North Dakota farmers grow more than 90% of the U.S. flax supply annually.

DowAgroSciences hopes for approval to commercialise plant-derived vaccine in 2006

DowAgroSciences believes it will be the first company to gain federal approval in the United States to make and sell a vaccine from plants. The company predicts that its new vaccine, which could be used to inoculate chickens and other livestock, will win federal approval late next year. DowAgroSciences began research focused on producing plant-derived vaccines seven years ago and believes that the new technology will make animal-derived vaccines obsolete.

Researchers in Hawaii agree to stop GM of taro

The University of Hawaii has agreed to stop GM research on Hawaiian varieties of taro because some native Hawaiian activists have complained about the research on a plant that they consider a sacred ancestor. University researchers had aimed to introduce genes from disease-resistant rice into both the Chinese and Hawaiian varieties of taro in order to make the taro more resistant to disease and pests.

Australia / New Zealand

GM carrots to control possums

A New Zealand research team has investigated the feasibility of plant-based immunocontraceptive (IC) control of possums. The researchers tested whether possums would respond to an orally delivered IC vaccine and modelled whether this mode of delivery would be effective. The study indicates that an IC vaccine is an effective and humane form of contraceptive for possums. Plant-based IC vaccines can be produced inexpensively in carrots, and possibly other appropriate crops.

Asia

Virus-resistant pigeonpea released in India

The International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics has approved the release of a landrace variety of pigeonpea that is resistant to the pigeonpea sterility mosaic virus. This virus causes annual losses of about $300 million in India and Nepal. Pigeonpea is a major crop in India, and is an important protein supplement in the vegetarian diet.

India approves more GM cotton for planting

India’s Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) has approved more Bt cotton hybrids for renewed planting, as well as new varieties for first-time cultivation. Some varieties were not reapproved, and some Indian farmers’ organisations and NGOs have urged the GEAC to direct state governments to seize stocks of illegal and unapproved varieties of Bt cotton seeds before the sowing season.

Pakistan implements biosafety rules

Under new biosafety rules, the Pakistan government will form a national biosafety committee, a technical advisory committee and institutional biosafety committees. The biosafety committees will review on a regular basis the operating procedures and biosafety records and assess the integrity of containment facilities and safety equipment/utilities.

Malaysia creates a biotechnology corporation to assist biotechnology development

The Prime Minister of Malaysia announced the creation of the Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation, geared to developing the country’s biotechnology sector. The corporation aims to:

• add value to the agriculture sector;

• capitalize on Malaysia’s biodiversity to commercialize discoveries in natural products and bio-generics (generic pharmaceutical drugs);

• establish a network of biotechnology centres of excellence around the country;

• encourage the involvement of the private sector and academe; and

• build international recognition for Malaysian biotechnology.

Specific government initiatives in biotechnology will include government grants for biotechnology research and development, a fund for training biotechnology professionals, and ten-year tax-free status for biotechnology companies in Malaysia.

Sri Lanka drafts GM labelling laws

Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health is drafting new laws that require importers to clearly label GM foods. The Health Ministry was cited as saying it cannot afford to test food items for GM material because of the high cost of laboratory analysis. The proposed law however, will hold manufacturers and importers of food items responsible for identifying GM foods or food ingredients on packaging.

Philippines approves second GM maize for planting

The Philippines has approved the sale and planting of another GM maize developed by Swiss agrochemical company Syngenta. The insect-resistant GM maize strain will be the second GM maize to be released in the Philippines after a Monsanto variety introduced in 2003.

China to ratify Cartagena Protocol

China revealed that it has decided to ratify the Cartagena Protocol but has yet to formally deposit its instrument of ratification. China expects to be a full party to the Protocol in time for the 3^rd Meeting of Parties in March 2006.

Japan to reassess canola imports from Canada

GM canola believed to be from Canada has been found growing in the wild in Japan, prompting concerns among farmers and environmentalists. The Japanese government says the import of canola seed from Canada is considered safe, but the Agriculture Ministry indicated Japan intends to reassess the situation, and the conclusions could affect one of Canada’s main exports to Japan, a key agricultural market. Eighty percent (1.6 million tonnes of seed) of the canola Japan imports each year is from Canada, and 80% of that is GM.

Latin America

South Americans to extend cooperation with Arabs on semi-arid land biotechnology
Arab and South American countries are going to collaborate to improve crop cultivation in drought-ridden regions, a key point on the agenda at the May 10-11 2005 Arab-South American presidential summit. The cultivation of drought-resistant species could be one of the first projects of mutual interest to the Arab and South American nations.